For Kenneth Lambert of Lumberton, a $1 million lottery win means a college education for his son, and the possibility of a new career for his wife.

“My son’s graduating this year and will head to college,” Lambert said. “My wife wants to go to nurse practitioner’s school.”

Lambert’s wife bought him the Carolina Millions ticket last night. When he scratched it, he thought she was playing a joke on him.

“I didn’t believe it,” Lambert said. “I kept thinking it was a fake lottery ticket, because I pulled that joke on her before.”

It wasn’t a joke, and he claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. Lambert had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum and after federal and state tax withholdings received $414,832.

Lambert’s wife bought the $10 ticket at the Short Stop on Owen Drive in Fayetteville.

Carolina Millions launched in October with eight top prizes of $1 million. Six $1 million prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like Carolina Millions made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $634 million dollars for the state last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Robeson County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.